Shenyang is a sprawling industrial and financial center, the largest city in northeastern China, with a reputation as the region’s crime capital. The city was overrun with violent gangs and controlled by corrupt public officials who were regularly purged by the government in Beijing, only to be replaced by new ones. The developers Hongwei knew in Shenyang were all gangsters, and when they weren't making shady deals, they were spending their nights in private gambling parlors.

I heard through the grapevine that Jim will be leaving soon.

to anticipate the pleasures of a visit

You specials, Nigel said disgustedly. I don't know why I bovver, really I don't.